Kathy Liebler
                        Director of Public Information


    C   O   M   M   I   S   S   I   O   N                N   E   W   S             R   E   L   E   A   S   E

     Contact: Lowman S. Henry (717) 939-9551 Ext. # 2934                        December 9, 1996

DUI PROGRAM ON TURNPIKE NETS 16 ARRESTS

         (Harrisburg) -- Sixteen people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while travelling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
        The arrests were made as Troop T of the Pennsylvania State Police conducted a "Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substances" initiative during the holiday which ran from 6 P.M. on Wednesday, November 27 through midnight on Sunday, December 1.
        As part of the program, sobriety checkpoints were conducted November 29, 1996 from 10 P.M. until 4:00 A.M. at Turnpike Exit # 6 (Pittsburgh) and Exit # 26 (Fort Washington). Roving State Police patrols were also in force during that time frame in central Pennsylvania.
        Of the 16 arrests, 15 were made at the sobriety checkpoints and one by the roving patrol. During the initiative, an additional 19 traffic citations were issued for various violations, including expired registrations and inspection stickers as were 28 warnings for equipment and other violations.
        Captain Richard A. Stein, Commanding Officer of Troop T, said the program is "part of our continue effort to ensure the Pennsylvania Turnpike maintains its status as being one of the safest roadways in the world."
        In addition to the Troop T's law enforcement activities, the Turnpike also made available at its 22 service plazas red ribbons provided by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The ribbons can be worn on clothing or tied on the antenna of a vehicle to remind motorists not to drink and drive.
        A total of 1,755,962 vehicles traveled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. State Police responded to 159 accidents on the Turnpike of which 52 involved injuries. There was one fatality.

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         P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649